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Rice Football 2024: Navy Game Week Practice Report

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Rice football has an interim head coach, quarterback uncertainty and an injured captain. Here’s what we learned from the Owls at practice this week.

Mike Bloomgren is out. Pete Alamar is in. And Rice football marches on. Navy is next up on the docket, no small task for any permutation of the Owls’ program. This update will touch on a few logistical adaptions to the weekly practice schedule now that Alamar is calling the hots as well as the latest on the injury front, which continues to have lasting ramifications for the program as the season progresses. Here’s where the team stands prior to the Navy game this weekend.

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For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Special features like this are reserved for our subscribers. Have questions? You can get those answered in our monthly Q&As and get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and features like this one when you subscribe on Patreon today.

On the (interim) head coach

Make sure you check out this feature released earlier in the week on Alamar and what the program is going to look like for the next few weeks under his direction. That’s going to impact the day-to-day operations around South Main to some extent, but there’s no sense in reiterating the same information twice. Things have gone more or less according to plan, in those respects.

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What will Rice Football look like under Pete Alamar: October 2024 Q&A

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Pete Alamar has been named the interim coach for the remainder of the 2024 Rice Football season. What will the program look like now? We look at both in this month’s subscriber Q&A.

There are still four games remaining in the 2024 Rice football season. The decision to move on from Mike Bloomgren midseason — the first time such a move has happened in season in program history — has shifted a lot of responsibilities around South Main. What will the program look like under the direction of interim head coach Pete Alamar? We tackle that question, ranging from the specific adjustments to the more philosophical ramifications.

Questions were edited briefly for clarity. Want to get your questions answered? Subscribe on Patreon for our monthly mailbag.

For those checking in for the first time, or those returning, a quick programming note. Special features like this are reserved for our subscribers. Have questions? You can get those answered in our monthly Q&As and get access to all practice notes, recruiting updates and features like this one when you subscribe on Patreon today.

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Q: Just how does Alamar run things in the interim…delegate to the coordinators?

Q: Will we notice anything different with Alamar? Is he changing personnel or implementing anything interesting schematically?

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Rice Football 2024: Navy presser quotes and depth chart

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Next up for Rice football: Navy. Here’s what interim head coach Pete Alamar had to say about the matchup and a few depth chart notes.

Following the dismissal of head coach Mike Bloomgren on Sunday, interim head coach Pete Alamar and a set of players met with the media for their customary weekly availability. They recapped the UConn game and looked ahead at their upcoming matchup with Navy.

More: Game Preview: Rice Football vs Navy

We touch on those items, then dig into the Rice football depth chart and what the team looks like heading into the weekend. First, the quotes:

Press Conference Quotes

“To state the obvious, a few things have changed and transpired here in the last few days. I can tell you this, Mike Bloomgren, Coach Bloomgren, is one of my best friends. 18 months ago he sold me on a vision, a vision for Rice football and a vision for Rice University. And that’s why I’m here… I can tell you this, he gave his heart and soul for seven years to Rice University and Rice football. There isn’t anyone in this building who would tell you that it’s not better for having him here in that time.” – Pete Alamar on the state of the program

https://twitter.com/AtTheRoost/status/1851346426292257108

“Here’s what I know. I’ve been entrusted to lead this program for the next five weeks. And for me, all I’m concerned about is putting our guys in the best position they can to play fast, play free and have an opportunity to win games. Period. After that, it is what it is. I’m under no illusions. I’m not here to audition for the head job. I’m here to lead this program for the next five weeks and do the best job. I possibly can.” – Pete Alamar on being the interim head coach 

“When you’ve coached for a long time, you get to be around some really special dudes. What he did was phenomenally cool. I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had the Desean Jackson. I’ve had Ty Montgomery… I’ve had Christian McCaffrey… I’ve told this football team, that cat, right there, is as good as any kick returner I’ve had at hitting and getting. His first 25 is what makes him special because when he hits it, he hits it.”– Pete Alamar on kick returner Quinton Jackson

“I’ve been on teams here where we haven’t had success or reached the goals that we’ve had. I would argue that this is probably the most underachieving, given how he felt about this season going in, that we’ve had. I have never once for a second doubted the desire, the effort, the driving for wins that this team has shown. I’m more proud of the resilience of this team than any other team that I’ve been on. And there’s no doubt about that in my mind. That being said, through all the things that have happened in this season that didn’t go our way, not one time have I had to motivate a guy to get up. Not one time has that been a problem and that hasn’t been a problem through these last 48 hours which you would say has been a most-resiliency challenging situation.”  – Captain Izeya Floyd on the state of the team

“It means a lot, to be named with those talented players. I’m just blessed to be in this position and I’m grateful to have him as my coach…. Being recognized for that award, it’s not just me. It’s everybody on this team that helped me along the way.” – Kick returner Quinton Jackson on the praise from Alamar and being named AAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Depth Chart

Rice Football

Depth Chart Notes

Given all the changes within the program this week it was unlikely there we significant changes coming to the official depth chart that is released on Tuesday. That was indeed the case, with the only difference reflecting sustained injury situations — an OR at the quarterback spot and the removal of JoVoni Johnson from the two-deep in favor of Owen Carter.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean everything will be congruous week to week once the team installs its game plan for Navy. For those updates, including the latest on the health of Warner and other key pieces, you’ll want to stay tuned to the practice notes later in the week reserved for subscribers.

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Rice Football 2024: NFL Owls Week 8 Roundup

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Rice Football is well represented on 2024 NFL rosters. Here’s the latest from the NFL Owls in action in Week 8.

There are former Rice football players scattered across the NFL. Stay tuned each week for their game results and notables from each player.

Team NFL Owl(s) This Week Result Next Week
Detroit Lions Jack Fox (P) vs Titans W, 52-14 at Packers
Indianapolis Colts Kylen Granson (TE) at Texans L, 23-20 at Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers Chris Boswell (PK)
Calvin Anderson (OL)		 vs Giants (MNF) W, 26-18 — BYE —
Seattle Seahawks Myles Adams (DL) vs Bills L, 31-10 vs Rams
Washington Commanders Luke McCaffrey (WR) vs Bears W, 18-15 at Giants

Offense

Calvin Anderson – OL, Steelers

Anderson was active for the Steelers’ Week 8 game against the Giants on Monday Night Football. He played one snap with the offense and did not see action with special teams.

Luke McCaffrey – WR, Commanders

McCaffrey was targeted twice in the Commanders’ thrilling walk-off win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday, hauling in once pass for eight yards.

Kylen Granson – TE, Colts

Granson caught his first pass since Week 3 on Sunday against the Texans, taking it for four yards. Utilized heavily as a blocker, he has three receptions on the season.

Defense

Myles Adams – DL, Seahawks

Adams was inactive for the Seahawks Week 8 game against the Bills. He’s been active for three of the Seahawks’ eight games so far this year.

Special Teams

Jack Fox – P, Lions

Fox punted five times on Sunday against the Titans, a surprisingly high total for a game in which the Lions scored 52 points. Fox did his part, averaging a tremendous 61 yards per punt including a long of 67 yards. He put three balls inside the 20.

Chris Boswell – K, Steelers

Boswell had another perfect night on Monday Night Football, converting all four of his field goal tries and going 3-for-3 on extra point attempts. He’s made 23-of-24 field goals this season.

More Owls in the NFL

From practice squads to current free agents, there are other Owls on the cusp of returning to active rosters. Find more details on current contractual agreements and former Rice football players waiting for their next opportunity here.

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Rice Football 2024 Game Preview: Navy

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With an interim coach at the helm, Rice football is preparing to take on Navy for Homecoming. How to watch, key stats, x-factor picks and more.

Now former Rice football head coach Mike Bloomgren was relieved of his duties following a road loss to UConn last Saturday. In his place, interim head coach Pete Alamar will be tasked with leading the team this week against a Navy team also coming off a loss, albeit their first of the year. The Midshipmen fell to No. 12 Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium last weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup between Rice and Navy.

Kickoff time | 3:00 PM CT
Venue | Rice Stadium – Houston, TX
TV | ESPN2 (Viewing Guide)
Radio | Varsity Radio App (Online)

Audio / Visual Preview

We’ll preview Rice football vs Navy on this week’s episode of the Blue and Gray Preview Show, kicking off live on Wednesday on the Rice Athletics YouTube channel. Look for a recap of the game on the site afterward as well as on The Roost Podcast, which should be released early next week.

Sizing up the contenders

Navy suffered its first setback in a loss to Notre Dame, but the Midshipmen are still very much alive in the race for a spot in the American Conference Championship Game. Navy has its eyes on keeping its unbeaten conference record intact and still has much to play for as the calendar enters November.

Interim coach or note, Rice football just wants the chance to play a meaningful game after this week. A seventh loss would knock Rice out of a postseason berth days removed from Halloween with nothing left to play for beyond pride. That’s not how this season was supposed to go.

Series History

All Time | Tied, 6-6
Last Five | Navy leads, 4-1
Last Meeting | Home 2009, Navy won 63-14

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Rice Football Stat Notables

Passing | Warner – 160/263 (60.8 percent), 1573 yards, 10 TD, 9 INT /  Devillier 2038 (52.6 percent), 137 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
Rushing | Connors – 94 carries, 518 yards (5.5 yards per carry), 6 TD / Atkins – 24 carries, 158 yards (6.6 yards per carry), 2 TD
Receiving | Sykes – 41 receptions, 476 yards (11.6 yds/rec), 3 TD / Campbell – 22 receptions, 261 yards (11.9 yds/rec), 1 TD / Connors – 45 receptions, 295 yards (6.6 yds/rec), 1 TD
Tackles | Morris – 43, Fresch – 40, Taylor – 36
Pass Breakups | Fresch/Ahoi – 6, Taylor -3
Interceptions | Taylor/Flowers/Williams/Mutombo – 1

Navy Stat Notables

Passing | Horvath – 53/85 (63.3 percent), 976 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT
Rushing | Horvath – 93 carries, 750 yards (8.1 yards per carry), 11 TD / Tecza – 61 carries, 339 yards (5.6 yards per carry), 7 TD
Receiving | Heidenreich – 25 receptions, 495 yards (19.8 yds/rec), 5 TD / Chatman- 10 receptions, 198 yards (19.8 yds/rec), 3 TD / Tecza – 6 receptions, 115 yards (19.2 yds/rec), 1 TD
Tackles | Ramos – 83, Jacob – 55, Campbell – 43
Pass Breakups | Peele- 4, Campbell/Lame – 3
Interceptions | Peele – 3, Lane – 2, Five others tied with one

Navy X-Factor | Play clean football

Entering their game against Notre Dame the Midshipmen had yet to turn the ball over against FBS opponents this season. They turned the ball over a staggering six times against the Irish and were summarily handed their first defeat of the season. When this team plays their brand of football and stays on schedule, the option-based scheme is hard to handle. They didn’t march to a 6-0 start on accident. 

Navy has a plan. And when they’ve been able to execute that plan this year, it’s been hard to overcome. Even a strong Rice defense will be tested by this scheme. But unless the Owls can get the Middies off their script, it’s going to be a tall task to overcome this system. 

Rice X-Factor | Keep up

The Rice defense has come alive in the last several weeks and hasn’t allowed an opponent to surpass 27 points since the Army game six weeks ago after allowing three straight FBS teams to surpass that mark. They then held Tulane and UConn to two offensive touchdowns apiece. But as good as the defense is, points are going to be a requirement against this Navy team, that’s just the reality.

Holding Navy to two offensive touchdowns would be a dream, yet it probably won’t be enough unless the Rice offense can get their act together and return fire. No matter who ends up playing quarterback, Rice has to find a way to keep up. Otherwise this one could get ugly in a hurry.

Injury Report (Subscribers only)

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One Final Thing

The die has been cast and Rice football is in the market for a new head coach. Unlike in the professional ranks, though, there are no incentives for losing out. There is no high draft pick awaiting the Owls at the end of this rainbow and thus, every win they can steal from this point onward is a credit to the players and the coaching staff remaining in the building. 

We covered a lot of ground in our emergency Roost Pod following Bloomgren’s firing. I hope you’ll give it a listen here. If you’re on the hunt for coaching search nuggets, I’d encourage you to subscribe on Patreon as that begins to develop in the weeks ahead.

As far as the game at hand is concerned, while an interim head coach typically signals a season gone askew, that doesn’t mean this team has quit on the season. Effort was never the problem under Bloomgren. And Rice knows firsthand the dangers of overlooking a team with an interim-tagged leader. The Owls lost to Charlotte days removed from the firing of Will Heally two years back.

A loss on Saturday would be forgotten. A win, however, would be remarkable. Ranked or not, this would be one heck of a victory given all this team has gone through to this point in the year. The odds are stacked against them. They’re without their head coach. But that didn’t stop that Charlotte team and one would hope the effort inside the walls of the Brian Patterson Center won’t be crushed by another round of bad news, no matter how significant. 

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